Museum of Occupations...

We met two other couples at the Museum of Occupations, which was fascinating although depressing. These doors were from Soviet prison cells. This museum concentrates on occupations by the former Soviet Union from 1940-1941 and then again in 1944-1991 and by Nazi Germany from 1941-1944. In fact, we learned that during the last 800 years, Estonia had only been independent for 40 years! When we took a walking tour on Sunday, the guide told us that 11% of Old Town was destroyed during WWII. She also said, “Singing is our secret weapon.” Starting in 1987, there was a series of mass demonstrations featuring spontaneous singing of national songs and hymns that were strictly forbidden by Soviet authorities. The “Singing Revolution” lasted from 1987 to 1991, resulting in Estonia regaining its independence on August 20, 1991 without any bloodshed. Estonia joined the European Union in 2004.